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Black Hero Names

Black hero names honor notable Black leaders of history and today, including abolitionists, activists, athletes, artists, and entertainers. Some of the most famous Black figures, such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Josephine Baker, add a subtle layer of significance to their traditional first names. Their more distinctive surnames are a modern and particularly powerful way to connect your child to your hero.

Along with King and Josephine, other Black hero names in the US Top 300 include Brooks, Clara, Ella, Kyrie, Legend, Nina, Ruby, and Walker. Unique surnames of Black figures’ worth considering for your child include Carver, Ellington, Hughes, and Owens.

A Black hero name may serve to imbue your child the strength and values of their namesake. If you are searching for a name to connect your child to their Black heritage or wish to honor an important Black hero, browse our list of over 250 names below.

Zina Zina is a female given name with Russian and...
Origin:African, Nsenga, refers to a child's secret spirit name; Russian, related to Zeus
4171
Beauford

Meaning: beautiful fort

Origin:French
5377
Leotis

Meaning: people living by the strongly flowing river

Origin:Variation of Leodis, Celtic
7971
Lola

Meaning: lady of sorrows

Origin:Spanish, diminutive of Dolores
79
Amelia

Meaning: work

Origin:German
23
Clara

Meaning: bright, clear

Origin:Latin
20
Josephine

Meaning: Jehovah increases

Origin:French feminine variation of Joseph
17
Clementine

Meaning: mild, merciful

Origin:French feminine version of Clement, Latin
27
Alice

Meaning: noble

Origin:German
7
Ava

Meaning: life; bird; water, island

Origin:Hebrew, Latin or Germanic
22
Daisy

Meaning: day's eye

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, English
31
Diana

Meaning: divine

Origin:Latin
224
Nina The name Nina is of Spanish origin and the m...
Origin:Short form of names that end in -nina
149
Lucy

Meaning: light

Origin:English variation of Lucia, Latin
25
Ella

Meaning: all, completely; fairy maiden

Origin:German; English
85
Grace A name associated with elegance, poise and b...
Origin:English, virtue name
76
Katherine

Meaning: pure

Origin:Greek
262
Jacob

Meaning: supplanter

Origin:Hebrew
137
Andrew

Meaning: strong and manly

Origin:Greek
118
Adam

Meaning: son of the red earth

Origin:Hebrew
154